Castlepollard,
Co. Westmeath,
Ireland.
1st October, 2010.
Dear Reader,
Many people dread the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer as autumn creeps up on us. While 'I hate the long evenings,' can be the expected thing to say at this time of year it can programme our psyche to believe this statement to be true. Before we know it we have set up a negative energy about autumn that is not fair to the wonder of the season and certainly not helpful to our mental health. Remember that thoughts create energy. It is often worthwhile to pay attention to what kind of energy we are creating and if it really is what is true for us.
Autumn is a time of abundance in nature. The grain has been harvested and stored, and the hedges are offering us their fruits to enjoy; blackberries, hazelnuts, beech nuts, damsons, crabapples, elderberries and sloes. Fruit has been particularly plentiful this year after the hard winter. The birds are following their innate wisdom and busy eating up as much of this nutritious fare as they can.
'So what?' you might ask. Getting out for a walk in nature at this time of year can be a wonderful and free natural remedy that we are fortunate to be able to do so easily. Even in the cities there are so many parks within a short distance and a trip to the beach or the forest is generally only a short journey away. Here are some useful links if you want to make a day of it… Coillte, National trails day, Looped walks.
Weather is another excuse we often give to stay indoors yet most of us have a raincoat and a spare set of clothes to change into if we do get wet. So really we have no excuse not to get out and see how it goes,hearing the golden leaves crunching under our feet and watching the leaves falling in front of us as we walk along.
While this is an easy natural and free way to nurture yourself that is good for the psyche it is not necessarily that simple as just geting up and getting out. Our old friends Mr. & Mrs. Resistance will be there to tell you 'you might get a cold' 'maybe you might miss something on the television' or that 'sure you can do it tomorrow' and the list goes on, and on, and on…
The support I am offering you this month is also a challenge. When you meet your resistance, thank it for the advice, but get out anyway and feel the breeze on your cheeks. You do not need to wait until you feel like it, just go for a walk and try it out. Especially if you don’t feel like it! Walk with the wonder of a child and see what catches your eye.
What draws your attention and maybe even causes you to smile. Let your arms swing and breathe out all your stresses and strains as you walk. If you have no stress celebrate that as you breathe deeper with each step. What does the natural state of your energy feel like? Let nature support your well-being as she has done for so many before you. When you get home noteice what it was like for you to get out for a while? How did you feel before and after. Was there any difference? If so, what did you notice? How was the whole experiment for you?
The longer nights are an essential time for us to review reflect and remember all that has gone on so far this year. What things have worked well and what didn’t. It is an interesting time to plan for the forthcoming year as you curl to rest and nurture your mind body and soul in preparation for the spring that is just around the corner.
I welcome your questions or comments, in confidence if you prefer, and look forward to hearing how you got on. Remember action speaks louder than words! Enjoy.
I can be contacted via the contacts page of my website www.psyche.ie.
Yours faithfully,
Mary Stefanazzi
